They’re a sight for sore eyes and never seem to go away—here’s how to tackle them
You have a brand new outfit on, got the perfect blowout, and you’re all ready to doll yourself up for a fun night out. You settle in front of the mirror and reach for your foundation...but wait, what’s that you spot? A smattering of tiny, dark-coloured spots across your nose.
Blackheads. Truly the bane of every woman’s existence! Here’s how to rid them once and for all.
How do blackheads form?
Before we dive into the intricacies of getting rid of blackheads, it’s important to first understand how they come about in the first place. In an interview with Allure, Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group, shares that, “Blackheads are just an oxidised mix of oil and dead skin cells that are sitting in pores, [and] the exposure to air is what causes them to oxidise and turn black.”
So where do blackheads come from? Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not dirt and not a sign of poor hygiene. In fact, high humidity and/or greasy environments, wearing makeup, and factors like stress can contribute to the appearance of blackheads. Imagine a hair follicle that’s so full of sweat, grime, oils, and bacteria, it soon becomes a wide-opening right at the surface of your skin and oxidises when it hits the air—that’s a blackhead!
They’re icky, they look gross...but are blackheads bad?
Although they are a pain to deal with, blackheads are generally harmless! However, we know how tough it is to ignore their existence once they start appearing.
Why are blackheads commonly found on the nose?
It may seem like a pain since they’re right smack on the most visible part of your face, but in an interview with wellandgood.com, Sheel Desai Solomon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in North Carolina, shares that blackheads scientifically appear on the nose because your nose has numerous glands and therefore more prone to getting clogged.
How can blackheads be removed?
There’s no shortcut around it—the elimination of blackheads starts with a good skincare routine! It’s especially important to use a good cleanser and toner to slough away dead skin and impurities in your pores. This will in turn naturally remove blackheads.
A quick Google search will point you towards over-the-counter products that contain salicylic acid, a well-known ingredient for eliminating blackheads and whiteheads. However, heathline.com recommends those that want to use salicylic acid to use a cleanser containing the ingredient just once a day, as many people are actually sensitive to the potent acid!
But don’t fret, you can always opt for a gentler alternative like the Glow Renew Moist Cleanser. The cleanser is suitable for all skin types and contains Citric Acid, a naturally-occurring AHA derived from citrus fruits and commonly used to slough off dead skin cells. It’s also a mild, water-soluble cleanser that helps to thoroughly cleanse pores and minimise their appearance.
Follow up your cleansing routine with an antioxidant-rich product like the Glow Renew Essence Toner. Formulated with Green Tea extracts, it’s an alternative method of getting rid of blackheads/whiteheads embedded in the skin while being extremely gentle. The multi-essence toner also contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), which helps to reduce the appearance of clogged, enlarged pores while producing more collagen and elastin for bouncier skin. Find out more about these two products here.
It’s almost 2020, don’t forget the importance of moisturizing! If you prefer a lightweight option to avoid clogging pores, consider a water-based moisturiser like the Ultra Moisturizing Repair Gel. Containing a skin-soothing blend of Calendula, Cucumber and Chamomile with Allantoin, the moisturizing gel doubles up to heal and plump up skin for even clearer skin.
But wait, are there ingredients I should avoid?
While the following ingredients are commonly found in skincare, they actually encourage sebum production and can hinder your quest to rid blackheads for good! Do avoid products that contain alcohol, lemon, lime and eucalyptus and you’ll be seeing blemish-free skin in no time! In fact, if you have acne-prone skin, here are more handy tips on how to treat your complexion without irritating it.
Treat your skin to the goodness it deserves. The Moisturizing Co. products are manufactured under strict GMP-certified conditions, free from alcohol, silicones, parabens, and are vegan and cruelty-free.
About us: We are Skintelligence, a team focused on a 'skin-first' approach to beauty through artificial intelligence. We match products to you based on your unique skin type and needs. Results are highly accurate and personalized with AI and machine learning. It's fun, convenient, and it works. Try it here.
As featured in Her World, CLEO, FEMALE, Shape, Nuyou, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Daily Vanity, Layers of Skins.